Parents given easier access to children's progress

The college is currently taking part in a pilot which would allow parents access to their child's attendance marks, achievements and any detentions with their own username.
The specialist arts college in Chartridge Lane was named by the Government as being part of the 'National Challenge' - a drive to improve standards for the 638 lowest performing schools in England. This means all schools must achieve a 30 per cent A* to C GCSE pass rate including English and maths or face intervention or possible closure in its current form.
This year the school achieved a 30.3 per cent pass mark, up from 29 per cent in 2007.
Other plans will result in five new members of staff being appointed by the new year including three specialist teachers in English, maths and science, a data officer and teaching assistant - a result of extra funding under the scheme.
Headteacher Kevin Patrick told the Examiner the school will be working on the plans in the next few months and is hoping to bring it into use by the end of the academic year.
He said: "Buckinghamshire local authority is trying to encourage schools to do more online, enabling parents to log on to gain information about their youngsters. We are part of a small group of schools trailing this in the coming year."
He added: "It's not something that can be done quickly, you have to plan quite carefully to ensure confidentiality is always maintained. In the modern world we have also to be careful with children from split families about who gets the access. You have got to agree what material will be available. It wouldn't be a case of 'my son has just done a test in maths, I want to see the information'."
Despite the National Challenge announcement lowering school morale, Mr Patrick added: "What it means to us is additional support from the local authorities, from National Challenge advisors. That advisor works with myself and guides the school to look at what we are doing, to see how we are making change in a positive way. I am quite confident we are."
"The National Challenge means to us further opportunities for improving - putting in place the plans we had in the future so we can move forwards more quickly."
Meetings have also been set up between teachers, parent and year ten and eleven pupils to 'mentor' them and address 'barriers to learning', he added.